Providing insight into technology and innovation in the legal, accountancy and consultancy sectors

Alternative View brings together news, commentary and thought leadership about digital transformation across the entire professional services industry.

We collate industry stories on innovation, technology and transformation in the legal, accountancy, management and property consultancy sectors, giving you access to the latest thinking about tech and innovation in the professions.

Insight to Action: The future of the professional services industry

Deltek research shows business leaders lack the foresight needed to prepare for what’s ahead.

Discover the key trends that are impacting your industry and the actions you can take to ensure your firm thrives, no matter what the future hold - and the steps firms are taking to remain agile and competitive in an ever changing industry. What can your business do to ensure success?

Digital Transformation and Professional Services FiRMS

This article examines the effects, shifts and key strategic recommendations

Digital disruptions have transformed how companies and their customers interact. Companies are being forced to turn to digital transformation to stay competitive. But is the professional services industry on the right track? (by Eric van Rossum, Global VP and GM for Professional Services Industries at SAP)

AI lawyers coming but hold off on legislation

Dan Bindman, Editor of Legal Futures, reviews a 120-page thesis on the future of technology published by Microsoft.

The future computed, artificial intelligence and its role in society. A new breed of specialist AI lawyer will emerge within 20 years, but governments should only legislate on this once tech companies have had time to develop their own ethical principles...

AI Won’t Kill The Job Market But Keep It Steady, PwC Report Says

An article via 7datata reports on the anticipated report and wonders how artificial intelligence will disrupt the job market

It’s impossible to say precisely how artificial intelligence will disrupt the job market, so researchers at PwC have taken a birds eye view from the top down, and pointed to the results of sweeping economic changes.

7 Steps to Legal Risk Management for General Counsel

Wolters Kluwer effacts guides General Counsel and legal teams on how to identify, assess and control legal risks before they happen, in this whitepaper

As General Counsel, you’re often required to provide credible and dependable assessments of legal risks facing the organisation. However, more often than not, it’s difficult to pull together a reliable view of where your company’s legal risks…

Here Are 10 Industries Blockchain Is Likely To Disrupt

You’ve probably heard that blockchain technology is going to revolutionize… fill in the blank. But what actually is it and how is it going to disrupt these industries?

In this article for Forbes, Bernard Marr says real estate (4) and legal (5) are among the top 10 industries that will be disrupted by blockchain. A best-selling author and keynote speaker, Bernard will be a keynote speaker at ourAI & Blockchain Professional Services event in December. His new book is Data Strategy.

Is proptech the future of real estate?

An article written by Sameer Nayar, CEO, BuildSupply; previously head of Real Estate Finance for Credit Suisse in Asia-Pacific

An increasing number of real estate companies are realising the potential of technology to transform their business and funding is on the rise for tech companies in the real estate and construction sector, according to this article in Financial Express.

Will AI help or hinder the future of accountancy?

By 2020 it's expected that accounting tasks, including audit, payroll, tax, and banking, will be full automated but what does this mean for the future of accounting jobs? asks Accountancy Age

Despite the obvious benefits that AI can bring, there is real concern that the technology poses a threat to job roles such as accountants. While the technology may remove the need for accountants to perform traditional services like audits, it won’t replace human accountants or accounting departments completely.

The 3 cornerstones of a successful AI strategy

Written by Shamus Rae, Head of Innovation and Investments, KPMG and regular speaker at for Alternative Events

Currently firms have a people-first, technology-second strategy. Yet our research shows that in ten years’ time, clients will expect their first interaction with a professional services company to be via a device. Read Shamus' guide to approaching AI adoption below.

The eight mindsets of winning leaders

Colin Price, Partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ London office and a member of Heidrick Consulting outlines his tips

At a time when the cost of capital is essentially zero, the success or failure of a business is determined more than ever by its leaders. Have you got what it takes? asks Colin Price in this article published by Changeboard

Will 2018 Be the Year Law Firms Decide to Adopt New Tech?

This article by Lawyer Monthly examines a law survey by Smith & Williamson and questions whether technology investment can offer real opportunities

Will investment in tech be able to halt and then reverse the problems associated with declining productivity? Are law firm management more tech-engaged, as core areas, such as big data, cyber security and the cloud, are beginning to have a noticeable impact?

Workspace as a Service (WaaS)Trend or necessity?

This briefing by Savills, published via Infabode, considers the factors contributing to the growing trend for WAAS

Over the past decade the global labour market has seen a new phenomenon: the rise of the independent professionals. Although these workers can work practically from anywhere, their needs have stimulated the emergence and expansion of co-working spaces.

Law Firms, Artificial Intelligence and the Fork in the Road

Don't let the usual traditions of law firms deter you, says this article based on a brand new report by ALM Intelligence.

Cost and culture create implementation issues for small and large firms alike. As explained in the report, law firms can and should overcome the cultural obstacles to AI given the tremendous benefits that AI tools can provide. The key to successful implementation of AI software is to identify at the very outset the goals that the firm hopes to achieve through its use of AI.

Mid-Market Recap: Fear the Big Four?

In an article published by Law.com, the issue of how the big four will affect the mid-tier law firms in the US, if they move further into the legal sector

The creeping competitive threat to law firms posed by the “Big Four” accounting firms has been a frequent topic of conversation with managing partners, albeit mostly those in Big Law. A recent story by Dan Packel for The American Lawyer suggests that “independent firms in medium-sized markets” have the most to fear from the Big Four.

Technology is revolutionising the legal sector

Legal Innovation report produced by Raconteur Media Ltd. published in The Times and online at www.raconteur.net

Technology is revolutionising the legal sector. From AI lowering costs, to blockchain providing data security, the industry is ripe for disruption. This report addresses the plethora of issues affecting the global rule of law.

Few employers prepared for expected surge in work automation

George Zarkadakis, speaker at our Tech & Innovation Leaders' Summit, discusses his views and the results of a company survey

A survey by Willis Towers Watson reveals that automation in the workplace, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, is expected to surge in the next three years - and few employers are prepared for the talent challenges.